by Dave Hazel
“Well, you’ve really done a lot of damage today. You’ve hurt a lot of people.”
“Yeah, this is probably gonna go down as the Minot Air Force Base Massacre,” he scoffed. “And I can still do a whole lot more damage yet,” he said for the benefit of his terrified hostages. “Hey, do you wanna do me a favor? Go in the men’s room and get me the last can of ammo. When they kill me today I wanna make sure I go out blasting away on the 60. Kurt died while shooting his enemy that killed him, do you remember? I wanna do the same.”
“Yeah, I remember. And no, I’m not gonna go get you anymore ammo. I don’t wanna have any part in this. All I wanna do is let you know that I care about you and I don’t wanna see you get killed. I don’t wanna see you kill any more innocent people.”
“Innocent? They all had it coming to them.”
“Boris, they may have pissed you off, but they’re not like Sosos. Sosos had it coming to them. Sure, some of these people are just jerks and scumbags, but they don’t deserve to die.”
“I know. You’re right,” Boris admitted after a brief pause. “But I’ll tell ya, since you mentioned Sosos and we brought up Kurt, I wanna go back to Towbar’s world. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t fit here. I would like to spend the rest of my life there. I was like a somebody there, ya know what I mean?” He asked and sounded lost. “I don’t wanna be here anymore.”
“Alright listen, if I could work it out that you could go back with Towbar when he goes back to his world, would you let these people go and give yourself up?”
“Wait a minute. Ah, you’re pulling my leg. You said there is no way to get back there.”
“That’s what I been saying publicly. Towbar wants to go back and he’s working on some things. So if I could make that happen would you do that?”
“They’d never ever let me outta prison after this. Besides, how do I know you’re not just saying this stuff, telling me what I wanna hear, just to get me to surrender? Then I’m screwed.”
“First of all, look me in the eye,” Mykal demanded and they made eye contact. “Have I ever lied to you before?”
“No.”
“And I never will. Look, I can’t let anyone know about this, but Towbar may have a way of going back. Do you remember on the 4th of July when we had the big battle with the Sosos and they attacked us in the Pass?”
“How could I forget?” Boris chuckled.
“Well, I’m never supposed to tell anyone this, but the night before the Sosos attacked us, Towbar did something for me, he called it ‘Mind Talk’. And what it is, he made it possible for me to communicate with Pam with my thoughts. It was like a mental telephone call. It was magic. But I communicated with her for only about forty-five seconds. It’s real. Bottom line though, he’s been using his Mind Talk to communicate with Nidious from his world. Nidious knows how to make the green fog appear. We’ve been keeping it secret because everybody and their brother wants to go to Towbar’s world. It’s gonna happen soon, cuz now we’re gonna have some time where he can really work with Nidious through Mind Talk. Towbar’s going home soon,” he whispered. “If you repeat that to anyone I’ll deny it.”
“Are you kiddin’ me?”
“No, not at all. I just don’t want anyone to know about it. With my pull with the Generals and all those who have an interest in Towbar’s world, I’ll make them a deal. If they allow you to return, we’ll let them know when Towbar’s going back,” he whispered so others in the room couldn’t hear him.
“How soon do you think it will be?” Boris asked with the eagerness of a child waiting for his birthday.
“I honestly don’t know. Towbar wants to get back there yesterday, ya know what I mean? He’s afraid the final battle may have taken place and he’s afraid that since he’s not there it could go bad, or it may have already gone bad.”
“What about you? Would you go back?” Boris asked.
“To be honest, part of me really wants to go back and part of me doesn’t cuz I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to come home again. Inside I have that need to return, but I don’t think I could do it. I can’t leave Pam and the boys. Bottom line though, if I could work this out, you’ll be stuck there for the rest of your life.”
“I don’t care,” Boris said and his face lit up. “I’m dead right now. Send me now. I’ll go and never come back,” he said and felt the effects of the alcohol starting to wear him down. “I have to ask one last time, are you just saying this to tell me what I wanna hear for me to give up?”
“No. You know me Boris. I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t want to see you rot away in prison, so if I didn’t think there really was a chance of this happening I would have let you finish this your way,” he said. “You know I don’t give a rat’s ass about these people,” he nodded to the hostages.
“The reason why I need to know, cuz if you’re lying to me I’d rather just kill all these sonsabitches and go down in a hail of bullets instead of going to prison,” he said loudly so his tormented detainees would know what may happen.
“I understand. I agree with you,” Mykal lied to his friend. “You don’t deserve to rot behind bars,” Mykal said sadly. Deep inside he felt terrible lying to his friend to rescue these people. He knew Boris would rot away in prison or get the death penalty if he persuades Boris to surrender. “Let these people go and I’ll have more bargaining power with the big shots. Trust me buddy. As a favor to me, one who doesn’t wanna see one of my last friends die, lay down your weapon. Let these people go and give yourself up. I give you my word that when Towbar figures a way to go back with Nidious’s help, I’ll make sure you go with him,” he whispered.
“Yeah, but if I lay down my weapons I’m sure there is someone out there who would gladly kill me before I get three steps out the door.”
“That ain’t gonna happen. I’m gonna make sure you get taken in unharmed. And I’m gonna make sure you get seen by a doctor for your wound,” Mykal said and wanted to break down. He didn’t want Boris to die and he knew Boris would hate him for spending the rest of his life behind bars.
“Myk, please don’t screw me on this. I’d rather die right now than know I’m gonna spend the rest of my life in a prison cell,” he said desperately. His expression was like that of a lost little child “I’d rather blow my own brains out than live with what I’ve done. I don’t wanna make a mistake,” he said on the verge of tears. “You’re the only person I can trust,” he whimpered.
“Boris, you’re the last of my friends, and you’re my closest friend. I wouldn’t want to hurt you,” Mykal said and choked on his words. “I give you my word. I have no reason to lie to you,” he lied. “I don’t wanna see you suffer or die.”
Boris nodded in agreement. Tears filled his eyes. The tears in Boris’s eyes weren’t for all the misery and heartache he caused, not for all the death and physical pain he inflicted, but for the fact that it was over. His tears formed due to the unknown that lay before him. He gave up based on the words of his only friend, and the hope he could return to Towbar’s world.
“Thanks Myk,” Boris said. “I’m not giving up my weapons until everyone is out of the room.
“Listen to me everyone,” Mykal called to all those in the room and turned to face them. “I want you to do as I say. It’s over. Airman Traginsky is gonna give himself up to me,” Mykal paused when they surprised him with a roar of happiness and relief. “I’m gonna let them know outside, then I’ll have you guys file out. Then I’ll take his weapons from him. For those who are wounded,” he looked to Quist. “Just hold on a little longer.”
“Thank you,” Quist whispered while holding his bleeding shoulder.
“No problem.” Mykal stood on one of the chairs to yell out the small window. “Towns. Sergeant Towns,” he yelled to the On-Scene Commander. “This is Mykal Graves.”
“Go ahead with your message Sergeant Graves,” Towns called back over the public address system.
“Airman Traginsky is the only gunman in the b
uilding. He is going to give himself up. I am going to send the hostages out through the front door so make sure everyone holds their fire,” he yelled loudly and clearly. “After the hostages are out, send your people in. Traginsky and myself will be in the hallway. Traginsky will be laying face down on the floor with arms and legs spread. Tell your people no rough stuff. He is injured and will need medical help. Make sure you have plenty of ambulances and medical personnel on hand. Is that okay?”
“No problem here,” Towns called back and the relief in his voice was evident. There was a faint roar of happiness that spread through the cordon.
“I mean it though, no rough stuff. I gave my word.”
“I give you my word there will be no rough stuff. This will be handled in a professional manner,” Towns replied for the benefit of S.W.A.T. and the Backup Alert Force, both of which would be moving in to secure the building.
“Can they go now?” Mykal jumped off the chair and turned to his friend who started to look like a frightened child. Mykal’s heart suddenly pricked with sadness. That was the same look on Boris’s face on the day he met Boris. Boris was brand new to the Crew and looked terrified to be around people he didn’t know. He had always been shy and uncomfortable in any social setting.
“Yeah,” Boris sighed. His expression displayed a mental wringing of his hands. “I really did it now, didn’t I?”
“It’s gonna be okay buddy,” Mykal said and he waved for the hostages to start leaving the room. They all passed by and quietly expressed their thanks. “Here, let me take that from you,” Mykal offered as he reached to take the M-60. He took the two hand guns and laid them beside the machine gun. “Do you have any other weapons?”
“No, these are it,” he shook his head. “Thanks Myk,” Boris said and opened his arms to hug Mykal. He seemed fearful Mykal would reject him.
Mykal welcomed his friend with a brotherly hug. “No, thank you buddy,” he replied to Boris’s gratitude. Mykal feared Boris would probably turn to hate him for lying to him. “You know I love you like a brother,” he said and they patted each other’s shoulders. Mykal drew near to tears for lying to one of his last close friends. Boris trusted in him and Mykal would end up letting Boris down like everyone else had.
Boris pulled back from the embrace, took a deep breath and then allowed his mind to drift to a faraway place. He took off his parka and blood became visible from the right side of his belly. His shirt showed he had been sweating under the heavy parka. Boris looked terrified and questioned his decision. “Myk, I should let them kill me,” he moaned and he appeared ready to cry.
“You did the right thing buddy,” Mykal said and his words almost cracked.
After all the prisoners were released, Mykal took Boris by the arm and gently led him out of the conference room and took him to the hallway. Mykal had Boris lay face first on the floor with his feet toward the entrance so the responding forces could approach Boris from behind. All the hours training on detaining ‘bad guys’ was finally being used for something worthwhile. Boris didn’t have to be told to spread his arms and legs.
Mykal got down on his knees and placed his hands behind his head so the responding forces would not make a mistake and start shooting. He didn’t turn around because he wanted to watch and make sure they weren’t going to mistreat his pathetic friend. If it had been someone else, Mykal knew how he would feel, but he gave his word and he wasn’t going to allow anyone to harm his friend. Mykal’s heart ached and he couldn’t hide the sadness from his face.
“Are you okay Boris?” Mykal asked while they waited for the security forces to enter the building.
Boris didn’t reply.
Mykal caught sight of a security policeman’s helmet peeking around the corner. “I know you’re doing your job,” Mykal called to him. “But there are a number of people in the guard mount room wounded who need help bad. You can see Airman Traginsky is no threat, and I left his weapons on the floor in the conference room. You will find an M-60 machine gun and two handguns.”
With a wave of the security policeman’s hand four others rushed in and moved to Boris. In normal situations only one would approach the suspect to conduct the search for weapons. In this unique circumstance each of the four grabbed an arm and a leg to secure him while he was searched. The leader held his M-16 ready while keeping his eye on Mykal. Several others rushed in and cautiously began to search the building to make sure there were no others who participated in the act of terror. By regulations they could not take Mykal at his word.
“Sergeant Graves, you may get up and you may put your hands down,” the lead SP said after Boris’s hands were secured behind his back with two pair of white plexi-cuffs. “Send in medical,” he called into his radio as several shouts of “Secure,” rang out from different SPs from different parts of the building.
“Hurry up with medical,” one yelled as he stood in the door way to the guard mount room. “It’s a damn mess in here. I’ve never seen anything like this,” he yelled angrily.
Boris was helped to his feet and he wouldn’t take his eyes from the floor. He knew all their anger and hatred focused on him because of the diabolical nature of his actions. Mykal followed the Security Policemen who ushered Boris out of the building.
“How is it?” Towns asked as the group bringing Boris out rushed to an awaiting car. Towns couldn’t believe Boris would do something like this. Boris was led along with SPs holding each arm, but he kept his chin buried into his chest to hide his face. Boris was whisked away in an LE vehicle. The entire base was still on lockdown.
“It’s bad,” Mykal replied and shook his head. He eyed his friend being ushered into an awaiting police car. Though Boris was one of his closest friends, he watched a complete stranger getting into the police car. He couldn’t dig deep enough to find words to describe what he saw and how it made him feel. Mykal looked at the flashing red lights on many vehicles, but they were hardly noticeable in the bright sunshine. The bright and bitterly cold day would go down in history as the deadliest massacre by a lone gunman. Mykal dreaded the questions that would most assuredly come from the press in the days ahead. Mykal felt 1983 would be the year that aged him the most.
“They’re finding some people who hid themselves away,” a voice called out.
“Hey, send someone into the men’s room,” Mykal said and snapped his fingers. “There should be two airmen handcuffed to a urinal. I guess those are the guys that Boris took the M-60 from. They should be alive.”
“We already recovered them. They’re scared shitless but they’re fine. The fire team leader of their team freaked out. He thought it was his guys who went berserk since an M-60 was involved. He’s going to catch hell for splitting up his team. He’ll easily lose a stripe or maybe his career over this,” Towns shook his head. “They’re gonna nail as many people as possible. Heads are gonna roll.”
“Figures. Well, I wanna go home so tell whoever is gonna interview me to do it now, cuz I’m mentally drained. I know they’re gonna question the daylights outta me.”
“Don’t forget the written reports that you’ll have to do to explain how you were able to convince him to give up,” Towns added.
“Yeah, I can hardly wait,” Mykal sighed, but his concern lay with his friend since he lied to tell Boris what he wanted to hear.
“I know I don’t have to tell you, but just make sure you don’t skip town.”
“Yeah, don’t gimme any ideas,” Mykal tried to joke.
“What would cause him to go off like that?” Towns knew he shouldn’t ask such questions until the proper authorities did their investigation. “He was a good kid.”
“I don’t know,” Mykal replied because he knew Towns and everyone else would be questioned repeatedly and he didn’t want to give them ideas to feed them with.
“Sure. Myk, I know I was never supposed to allow you to go in there, but thanks. You probably saved a great many lives,” Towns said and rubbed his hand over his cold face. “Not only w
ere the hostages vulnerable and at risk, but if Boris would have shot it out with the responders, oh my goodness, I don’t even wanna think about it. Who knows how bad that would have turned out?”
“Yeah, he’s experienced in battles,” Mykal sighed. It hurt to know he lied to his friend.
“Just think Myk, you’ll be called a hero for getting him to give himself up. You saved a bunch of lives today, twenty-eight people from that conference room,” Towns said after counting all the names on a sheet of paper. “Great job. You must be living right. You’re a hero again.”
“A hero?” He gave a look of unbelief. “I’m no hero. I was just trying to be a friend. Well, if I woulda been a real friend this woulda never happened,” he sighed with disgust.
“What was that?” Towns asked. He looked surprised that Mykal wasn’t excited to receive the credit for saving many lives and stopping a madman with a machine gun.
3.
“Myk, do you know what’s going on at the base?” His lovely wife Pam met him at the door when he pulled into the driveway. When he approached the door Pam seemed like a vision of love and comfort after all he witnessed. The house is owned on paper under her parents’ name, but it’s their home. It was a gift because of his fame and since he is not allowed to receive gifts her parents accepted it for them. “The phone has been ringing off the hook,” Pam said and showed a fearful concern. “Everyone is saying something crazy happened. Security has been ramped up and sirens are wailing all over the place. The radio said there was a shooting, and then they said it was a mass murder, and hostages are being held on base. Someone else on the radio described it as a break out of war on the base.”
“I know. Come here,” he said and pulled Pam close. “I need to tell you that I love you.” He received the comfort that only Pam’s touch could give him. It made him warm all over and soothed him like nothing else could. He wrapped his arms around her, and he held her tight. He held her close and it felt so comforting that it made him smile despite all he just witnessed. He took in a deep breath. The soft scent of lilac in her hair seemed to calm him even more. He’d just spent hours being interviewed which drained him. He felt exhausted emotionally and mentally.